Aurigny sparked Christmas joy in the hearts of children who needed it most this festive season, with a magical flight experience to Santa’s workshop (Guernsey Branch).
As part of this year’s Official Charity Partnership with the Guernsey Sunflower Project, Aurigny hosted a once-in-a-lifetime Christmas experience for children going through bereavement in Guernsey and Alderney.
The experience began with the children arriving at Guernsey Airport and receiving their golden boarding passes, before they came aboard the special Aurigny aircraft, where they took a flight to ‘Santa’s workshop’, a scenic route around Guernsey, Herm and Sark. Guernsey residents across the island flashed their torches and waved as the plane made its journey to create a shared island-wide experience.
With crew dressed as elves, reindeer and Santa’s helpers, the atmosphere was designed to immerse the children in Christmas magic from take-off to touch down. After disembarking the aircraft in the Aurigny hangar, transformed into a winter wonderland by the Aurigny staff, children were treated to a plethora of magical experiences; including toy-building stations, a sweetie factory, Santa’s magical donkeys, and even an appearance of the jolly man in red himself.
Samuel Talbot, Head of Marketing, PR and Communications said: “I congratulate each one of our dedicated team who have come together to create a once in a lifetime experience that fosters moments of joy and connection for the children during the most challenging times. We hope this day will serve as a lasting, lifelong memory that they can cherish and serve as a constant reminder that there is light to be found, even in the darker times of our lives.”
“Aurigny is an airline by islanders for islanders that will always care deeply about the community it serves. It was quite a thing to be a part of, the evening was jam-packed with Christmas carols, gifts, elf workshops, hot chocolates and more. The day was a labour of love, driven by the strength of our local community coming together. I don’t think anyone from our crew members, to our ground operations team, to the children themselves walked away not in the Christmas spirit.”
Louise Leale, CEO of the Youth Commission, said: “We are so thankful to Aurigny for the kindness and care they have shown in making this special event possible. While Christmas is often a time of togetherness, for children and families affected by the loss of a loved one it can feel incredibly lonely and isolating. As someone who understands the impact of bereavement on families, this event feels especially meaningful. It creates a safe and caring space for children to laugh, connect, and make new friendships, helping them to create joyful memories and feel supported, valued, and remembered during what can be a very difficult time of year.”
